Working toward self-determination for the West Papuan people

Urge Obama to support human rights in West Papua

TO: PRESIDENT OBAMA

When you meet with Indonesia’s President Widodo this fall, we urge you support an end to human rights violations in the provinces of Papua and West Papua.

Specifically we urge you to condition U.S. support for the Indonesian security forces to concrete improvements in human rights, including credible trials of those who are accused of past and ongoing human rights violations; unconditional freedom for political prisoners; unrestricted access to the territory; and engaging in internationally-mediated talks between the Indonesian government and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua.

Why is this important?

On October 26, 2015, President Obama will meet with Indonesia’s President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.

Beginning in May 1963, West Papua was occupied by Indonesia with U.S. government support and encouragement. By 1969, Indonesia had annexed the territory. Over the course of five decades, West Papuans have suffered mass killings, torture, rape, and the loss of their culture and lands. U.S. corporations like the mining giant Freeport McMoRan have devastated the environment. At least 100,000 Papuans are estimated to have died as a result of Indonesian rule. In addition, the region has been so inundated with migrants that indigenous Papuans are no longer a majority in their own land.

The U.S. continues to arm and train the security forces that repress the West Papuan people. The Indonesian government’s attempts to conceal the truth about West Papua include banning foreign journalists and UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights from visiting the territory. While President Widodo has announced several positive initiatives, elements in his government, including the security forces, are resisting change and the human rights violations continue.

The West Papuans continue to resist Indonesian rule. Groups supporting self-determination recently came together in the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) in a broad coalition to press their case within West Papua and internationally.

Restrictions on security assistance from the United States were important in Timor-Leste (East Timor) gaining their independence from Indonesia. The U.S. should again restrict training and weapons to Indonesia in support of the rights of West Papuans.

This is a petition of the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network For more information on West Papua, read the monthly West Papua Report, published by the West Papua Advocacy Team and ETAN.

Ardern to raise human rights issues with Indonesia's President March 19, 2018

He was met by a lone protester repeatedly yelling "Free West Papua". Later, in a short address before the official state lunch with Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, Mr Widodo said he had been delighted to learn how much ...

Small West Papua protest during Jokowi visit to NZ parliament March 19, 2018

Indonesia's president was greeted by protestors calling for West Papuan independence when he arrived at New Zealand's parliament this afternoon. A sing-off on the steps of the New Zealand parliament between protestors and Indonesians during president Joko Widodo's visit to Wellington. 19 March ...

Small West Papua protest during Jokowi visit to NZ parliament March 19, 2018

Small West Papua protest during Jokowi visit to NZ parliament – Similar News. Small West Papua protest during Jokowi visit to NZ parliament. in 6 hours. Radio New Zealand · Ardern appearance surprises Greenpeace petitioners. in 3 hours. Newstalk ZB New Zealand Similar · Weekly Digest of Central ...

Small West Papua protest during Jokowi visit to NZ parliament March 19, 2018

Alongside them, outnumbered but not diminished, around twenty people calling for an end to human rights abuses in West Papua. Things became rowdy, but as the official Indonesian motorcade arrived, the protestors barely had time to make their point as Jokowi stepped out of his car and disappeared ...

A small group of protesters hold signs reading March 19, 2018

A small group of protesters hold signs reading 'Free West Papua' outside the parliament in Wellington as Indonesia's President Joko Widodo visits the city on March 19, 2018. Widodo is in New Zealand after attending the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-Australia special summit in ...

Susi Pudjiastuti Expects West Papua To Export Fish March 19, 2018

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti expected West Papua to enter the international trade by exporting fish, especially which of catched by traditional fishermen. Susi said to had met PT Pelindo IV to discuss the matter. Susi stated the plan will be implemented ...

Pacific Catholic Bishops to meet next month in PNG March 19, 2018

A New Zealand bishop, Charles Drennan, said the conference is also very mindful of ongoing unrest and a questionable military presence in West Papua. He said there are also concerns at the growing influence of "unsavoury business and political interests buying influence in the Pacific". The Vatican's ...

Indonesia's Widodo visits Pukeahu war memorial March 19, 2018

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been urged to raise the issue of West Papua, which had been fighting for independence from Indonesia, in her meeting with Mr Widodo this afternoon. Mr Widodo and his wife Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo were greeted at Pukeahu by Defence Minister Ron Mark, former chief ...

Resettlement in PNG was never a viable option March 19, 2018

I told her of my experience with seven West Papuan asylum seekers in 2013 who had raised the Morning Star flag in West Papua with the support of Australia activists. Raising the Morning Star is a crime in Indonesia, and the seven young men (one was a child) were pursued by the Indonesian military ...

Indonesian President welcomed to NZ March 19, 2018

West Papua Action Auckland is calling for Ardern to raise human rights issues with Widodo over the Indonesian province that has been fighting for independence for decades. It is customary for visiting heads of state to hold a press conference after meeting with the Prime Minister, but it is understood ...

Indonesian President Joko Widodo visits Pukeahu National War Memorial March 18, 2018

A lone protester was heard repeatedly yelling "Free West Papua". Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been urged to raise the issue of West Papua, which had been fighting for independence from Indonesia, in her meeting with Widodo this afternoon. Widodo and his wife, Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, were ...

Keep swimming March 18, 2018

Keep swimming Greenpeace activists from the Rainbow Warrior ship unfold a poster thats reads “Save Reef, More Fish” during a diving session at Raja Ampat, West Papua, on Sunday. Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior has been sailing Rama Ampat, considered one of the best diving spots in the world, ...

Indonesian president's visit marks 60 years of relations with NZ March 18, 2018

Paying his respects at the tomb of the unknown soldier on Monday, he was met by a lone protester repeatedly yelling "Free West Papua". ... Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had been urged to raise the issue of West Papua, which had been fighting for independence from Indonesia, in her meeting with ...

Most interesting photos from Fakfak, West Papua, Indonesia March 18, 2018

Flickriver - view images as a 'river of photos' and more...

Yali tribe Yali who live in the west papua Indonesia is a major tribal March 18, 2018

Derived . "Before They Pass Away," series of the world's remotest tribes, members of the ancient indigenous Huli Tribe of Ambua Falls of Papua New Guinea photographed Yali tribe: Yali who live in the west papua Indonesia, is a major tribal group living in a very isoleted and inaccessible area of ...

nuruai pani March 18, 2018

Another great song from the West Papua music legend Black Brothers. Lagu dari Papua - Indonesia. NABIRE AMPI GROUP BAND. BLACK BROTHERS. An awesome Vanessa Quai version of "Nuruaipani" a sentimental hyme song of West Papua - performed by Vanessa Quai. BAHASA TIMIKA(mimika).

Papua Books in PDF, ePub, Docs March 18, 2018

West Papua Indonesia Since Suharto PDF, ePub Books. Books papua full online in PDF, Kindle format, this History books, This book reviews the long guerilla struggle of the 'Organisasi Papua Merdeka' (OPM) for a Free Papua, and traces the rise of a non-violent independence movement alongside it, ...

Papua private guide March 18, 2018

Discover much more of Papua & west Papua province with your very own, personal, private guide! I am proud to be recommended as a private guide in Papua & west-Papua province in Lonely Planet Book as: Trek-Papua tours & Travel, Ltd since 2010 and in the new book of lonely planet book which ...

Email Subscription

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.